For Immediate Release

Release Date: 11-16-09

JEFFERSON CITY– Missouri’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell in October, while the national rate rose four-tenths of one point, according to data released today by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). This marks the second month in 2009 during which Missouri’s total employment number increased.

The state’s unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a point from September, falling to 9.3 percent. By comparison, the U.S. rate is 10.2 percent, seasonally adjusted. As for the not-seasonally-adjusted rates, Missouri’s was 8.9 percent while the national rate was 9.5 percent for October. It is the eighth consecutive month that Missouri’s unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate.

“The October unemployment percentages suggest that Missouri’s job market continues to stabilize while demonstrating what independent economic sources have already been reporting about the health of our state’s economy,” said Governor Jay Nixon. “We are encouraged by these improving indicators and determined to move forward in creating good-paying jobs and continuing to work to secure investment in Missouri.”

Economic forecasting firm Moody’s Economy.com reported in October that the state of Missouri was one of 11 U.S. states that are showing signs of emerging from the national recession. (http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=435215).The report indicated that Missouri’s affordable housing prices and diverse economy, including biotech research centers in St. Louis and Kansas City, have helped the state’s economy to stay afloat.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by approximately 4,000 jobs on a seasonally-adjusted basis in October, reaching 2,714,500, just the second month of 2009 in which employment increased. Job gains were concentrated in durable goods manufacturing (up 2,200 with small gains in various industries), private educational and health services (+2,700) and professional and business services (+1,000). These gains were partly offset by continuing declines in some other industries, notably trade, transportation and utilities (-2,800, half in retail trade) and government (-1,300, mostly in local government).

Nonfarm payroll employment also increased in the state’s two major metropolitan areas, and was little changed elsewhere. In both St. Louis (+1,500) and Kansas City (+1,000), gains were concentrated in private educational and health services and in local government, including public schools.

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